Breaststroke Swimming technique - breathing

There's an obvious time when to breathe within the breaststroke technique so make sure you use it on every stroke.

[BritainIsDoomed]

Thank you very much for this, simple video but explains a lot. Most vids just say you breath when your head is out the water (stating the obvious) but don't mention anything about breathing out.

[joelmichello]

Hey Mark, Thanks for the videos. I am always trying to improve my flow in the water. {At 73, I swim every third day, 2000yds, non stop, no pool cheating, 6 different strokes} Being a Technical diving Instructor, a rebreather instructor, and a DAN DFAPro instructor we know that CO2 is our enemy. At ATA 1, we take in 21% with each breath and only use 5% - 6% even under load. So there is plenty of O2 in the blood stream. What makes us breathe is not lack of O2 but the build up of CO2. {its why we can do CPR; pushing 16% into the victim.} So, not so much the taking in of breath, but the expelling of the CO2 as much as possible. {Mouth is better} I have spoken to a number of swimming instructors and swimmers about this and it changes their ideas about what tires out a swimmer. Get that CO2 out!! As well, diaphragmatic in breathing is good. [All this said I bow before Queen Ledecky! I am not worthy. ]

[markdurnford]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching and posting this kind feedback. Hope you enjoy your swimming. Mark

[rustyasscrack]

When your head goes into the water, do you breath out for the whole time it's in, or just near the end before the head goes up? I find that latter easier, but not sure if that's the best way.

[theartsymathie]

Hi Mark, do you try to lift up your head during the in-sweep or does the in-sweep arm movement automatically generate a lift? If yes - is there a way to slow it down to have more time to inhale?

[catha]

I have seen both in pro and amateur level. Its what you prefer.